Malouda appears set for Chelsea exit

Florent Malouda's Chelsea future appears increasingly uncertain after he was omitted from the club's Champions League squad and tweeted a picture suggesting that he would be training with the Under-21s.

Malouda, 32, wrote: "This is where I'll train for my last season with the Blues," and posted a picture of a training ground sign saying: "Under-21s players and staff only."

He was left out of the 29-man squad submitted by Chelsea to UEFA as the Blues prepare to launch their defence of the trophy they won so dramatically in Munich, and it now appears he could be sold or sent out on loan.

The France international midfielder, who has less than a year remaining on his contract, has been at Chelsea for five years. He had been linked with a return to his former club Lyon during the summer, while Brazilian side Santos were also interested in signing him.

Although not in Chelsea's Champions League squad, Malouda is included in the 25-man squad for the Premier League - but that would be unlikely to prevent his departure if the Blues received a suitable offer.